Jean-Michel Bazire speaks after training accident at Grosbois that could end his career
by Thomas Hedlund
French trotting icon Jean-Michel Bazire has now spoken publicly about the dramatic accident he was involved in last week at the Grosbois training center. Suffering from neurological injuries, speech difficulties, and facing an uncertain future, Bazire has been forced to withdraw from the biggest races of the winter. His son Nicolas Bazire will replace him behind stable star Jushua Tree.
The accident occurred on Friday morning (Jan. 2), at the Grosbois training center, just outside Paris. Bazire was training Jingle du Pont when Jablonski, a horse in a nearby training set, driven by René Mascle, suffered an acute aneurysm. The horse collapsed and fell heavily onto Bazire, resulting in a serious accident.
In an exclusive interview with the trade publication Paris-Turf, the 20-time Sulky d’Or winner detailed the severity of his injuries.
“I lost consciousness for a prolonged period and suffered a serious head injury,” Jean-Michel said. “There are still traces of blood in my brain, and although my speech is gradually improving, it is not yet back to normal. I struggle to find the right words.”
The 54-year-old trainer/driver, who previously suffered a stroke in 2012, is now dealing with the aftereffects of this new brain injury. In addition to speech difficulties, he reports extreme fatigue and reduced function in his left hand.
“Everything is cerebral and neurological,” Jean-Michel said, while also hinting that his legendary driving career could be over. “I need to rest now and allow it to heal. If I don’t regain all of my faculties, I will simply stop driving.”
The news means that the trotting world will be without its most iconic figure during the upcoming major clashes at Vincennes. However, plans are already in place for the stable’s leading horse. Bazire confirmed to f that his son Nicolas will take over the reins of Jushua Tree in the Prix d’Amérique.
The other driver involved in the accident, René Mascle, is reported to be recovering well despite a heavy fall. Unlike Bazire, Mascle was able to return to work at the stable as early as the Monday following the incident.
For Jean-Michel, an uncertain period of rehabilitation now lies ahead, with rest as the top priority. The trotting world holds its breath as one of the sport’s greatest figures of all time fights to return to everyday life — though not necessarily to the racetrack.
Jean-Michel is, without hesitation, one of the most successful and most entertaining drivers in European harness racing history. His résumé includes two victories in the Elitloppet (L’Amiral Mauzun 2007, Exploit Caf 2008), five wins in the Prix d’Amérique (Moni Maker 1999, Kesaco Phedo 2004, Up And Quick 2015, Belina Josselyn 2019, and Hooker Berry 2022) four triumphs in the Prix de France (Moni Maker 1999, Exploit Caf 2008, Belina Josselyn 2018, and Davidson du Pont 2020), and an incredible eight victories in the Prix de Paris (Jardy 2005-2007, Up And Quick 2014-2015, Belina Josselyn 2019-2020, and Joumba de Guez 2025).
The list of major race wins achieved by Jean-Michel could go on almost endlessly — and it would be a monumental loss for the sport if he is unable to continue his career.
LIZA JOSSELYN BEST AMONG THE FIVE-YEAR-OLDS
Nicolas Bazire was in the sulky behind Liza Josselyn (Ready Cash) when the $125,000 Prix de Croix was decided at Vincennes on Saturday (Jan. 10). After an uneventful race, some tension finally developed in the closing stages.
Bullet The Bluesky went straight to the lead after the start, but after 600 meters Daniel Wäjersten allowed Lombok Jielto to take over. Shortly thereafter, Bazire applied pressure and moved to the front with Liza Josselyn.
From that point on, very little happened. The pace was extremely moderate, and it quickly became clear that the race would be decided by a sprint finish.
Liza Josselyn carried Lovino Bello, the race favorite, on her outside throughout, and it was between those two — along with Lombok Jiel — that the victory would be decided. Both Lovino Bello and Lombok Jiel closed strongly as the leader began to shorten stride, but Liza Josselyn held on gamely to score.
Replay here.
She crossed the line in a mile rate of 1:58.2 over 2,850 meters.
Although Liza Josselyn is already qualified for the Prix d’Amérique thanks to her victory in the Criterium Continental, her connections have announced that she will skip the big race this year.
PHOTO FINISH DECIDES PRIX DU FOREZ
Paul-Philippe Ploquin looked to have stolen the race when the $100,000 Prix du Forez was contested at Vincennes on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 10).
Ploquin was in the sulky behind 8-year-old Isofou du Chêne, and from the front the duo was allowed to dictate terms without facing any serious pressure along the way.
It wasn’t until favorite Hubble du Vivier and Alexandre Abrivard launched their move on the far backstretch that the race truly came to life. Hubble du Vivier grabbed a narrow advantage at the top of the stretch, but Isofou du Chêne fought back bravely on the inside.
Replayhere.
At the wire, the result was almost impossible to separate. The photo revealed that the favorite — trained by Nicolas Bazire — had prevailed by the slimmest of margins, with Hubble du Vivier scoring in a 1:57 mile rate.
HARLEY GEMA POWERS TO VICTORY IN PRIX DE LA CÔTE D’AZUR
A powerful stretch kick paved the way to victory for Harley Gema in Thursday’s (Jan. 8) $125,000 Prix de la Côte d’Azur at Cagnes-sur-Mer, as the 9-year-old mare reeled in the long-time leader Free Time Jepson.
Alessandro Gocciadoro sent Free Time Jepson to the front after 1,300 meters and was able to control the tempo from there. Harley Gema (Bold Eagle–Reedite Gédé), driven by Benjamin Rochard, was last on the outside and launched her move with cover on the far turn, tipping three-wide with 1,300 meters remaining before unleashing a full-bore rally in the stretch.
Free Time Jepson dug in gamely, but could not withstand the late charge. Harley Gema swept past to score from a 25-meter handicap in a mile rate of 1:57.4 over 2,950 meters.
Free Time Jepson (Face Time Bourbon) held second, while Imperator d’Ela (Carat Williams) finished third.
SOLVALLA INTRODUCES “E-RACES” ON THE ROAD TO THE ELITLOPPET
France uses its famous B-races to qualify horses for the Prix d’Amérique.
Now Solvalla is answering with a concept of its own.
Ahead of the Elitloppet 2026, Solvalla is launching the E-races, a new qualification system that will allow two horses to earn their Elitloppet invitations on the track.
In recent years, 13 horses have been invited directly, while three qualified through designated races. That structure remains in place for 2026 — but the way horses can qualify on merit is changing.
The E-races will consist of seven major events, starting with C.T. Ericsson’s Memorial at Solvalla in late March and concluding with Prince Daniel’s Race in Gävle on May 23. Horses will accumulate points throughout the series, and the two highest point-earners will receive Elitloppet berths.
“It’s obviously a wordplay on the French B-races,” said Solvalla’s racing director Ola Lernå in a press release. “But qualifying for the Elitloppet is no game. We want to keep the dream alive. With this system, horses can earn their way into the Elitloppet on their own.”
Points System: Points are awarded to the top six finishers in each E-race: 15–8–6–3–2–1
If horses are tied on points, the tie is broken by:
1. Number of starts in the E-races
2. Drawing of lots (if still tied)
If a horse already invited to the Elitloppet finishes in the top two of the E-race standings, the berth will pass to the next eligible horse.
“Two horses will qualify via the E-races, no matter what,” Lernå emphasized.
Race Venues: Four of the seven E-races will be held at Solvalla, with the remaining three staged at Åby, Tingsryd (mile track), and Gävle.
As a result of the new system: Meadow Road’s Race (Solvalla) and Prince Daniel’s Race (Gävle) will no longer offer automatic Elitloppet invitations.
Finlandia-Ajo will retain its direct Elitloppet berth.
THE E-RACES — 2026 SCHEDULE
March 28 — C.T. Ericsson’s Memorial — Solvalla
April 8 — The Onion’s Race — Solvalla
April 22 — Nuncio’s Race — Solvalla
May 3 — Paralympiatravet — Åby
May 13 — Meadow Road’s Race — Solvalla
May 16 — Milemästaren — Tingsryd
May 23 — Prince Daniel’s Race — Gävle
